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Ultra-versatile earth block launched in Gauteng
October 21,
2015 2316 2316 
A member of the CMA West End Cement Bricks (WECB) of Westonaria, Gauteng, recently launched an exceptionally versatile earth block called the G8 Earthlock block.
WECB, best known in the province as a producer and supplier of pavers and hollow blocks, manufactures and supplies a variety of precast concrete products developed in-house as well as a range of retaining wall blocks under franchise to the Cape Town based Greenlock Group.
The new G8 earth block is also a Greenlock-designed product, which has already won favourable attention and proven successful in the Western Cape since being introduced there in 2008. WECB, which has the exclusive franchise for Greenlock products in Gauteng, commenced production of the G8 earth block in October 2014.
The G8, which comes in a single standard size of 340 mm x 340 mm x 100 mm and weighs 18,5 kg, is designed for use in a variety of applications that include paving of roads and stormwater drains, as well as for earth-stabilisation purposes, such as on embankments and in wetlands.
“This is a very versatile, multi-purpose earth block,” commented Pieter Theron, WECB’s CEO.
“Due to its unique flexible design it can be laid in closed mesh formation, in standard layout or in what we call ‘economical layout’, each depending on what the particular application is. The closed mesh layout would be used typically for road building to provide maximum strength and rigidity, the standard layout is best suited for stormwater channels and similar applications, while the open format economical layout allows ample space to allow for soil and grass between the blocks. This is the ideal solution for various soil-stabilising applications such as embankments, parks and other open areas where the soil may be at risk of being washed away if left unprotected.”
As its name implies, the “economical” layout offers cost savings through the use of fewer blocks to cover a given area compared with the other two layout options.
If the user seeks to achieve greater rigidity and stability than already provided by the four-way locking block design, metal or plastic cables may be threaded through holes that are provided in the blocks to tie them tightly together.
“The profile of the blocks are not uniform in shape on every side, so they have to be laid in a particular way in relation to each other. Therefore to prevent confusion and make the installation process as easy and quick as possible every block has a distinctive mark on one corner as a guide to the installation team as to how it should be positioned in relation to the others,” Theron pointed out.
WECB produces the G8 blocks in two compressive strengths: 25 MPa and 35 MPa.
In addition to the Greenlock products, pavers and hollow blocks as stated, WECB also produces and supplies solid building bricks and maxi-bricks.